Why do people guess answers?
I have noticed that several people guess answers, answer incorrectly and still get votes. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the "reputation"? Giving it a shot is great, but shouldn't we be more careful with our answers and with giving out points?
20 Answers
As for voting, I think that if an answer is honest but maybe not correct, it's up to the voter, which in some cases is the problem.
Estoy completamente de acuerdo con Jason en esto. Es indiscutible que todos tenemos derecho a contestar, aunque nos equivoquemos. Todos estamos acá para aprender, ustedes Español, yo agradezco las correcciones a mi Inglés. Pero a veces me llama la atención la cantidad de votos que obtienen las respuestas erróneas!!! Y es realmente confuso para la gente que lee ese hilo posteriormente, y que supuestamente espera aprender Español.
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Quiero dejar expresamente asentado aquí que no me interesan en lo más mínimo los puntos por reputación o badges. Yo ya sé hablar Español... son ustedes los que quieren aprender y parece que la puntuación los motiva a la mayoría de ustedes!!!
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Pido modestia y autocrítica... cada uno sabe hasta dónde puede llegar...
I understand your question completely, Luisa. I've seen some answers thrown out there (usually by a new person) that make no sense whatsoever.
I agree with the others that we should include "This is just a guess....I'm not fluent....Let's wait for someone more advanced to confirm this........etc." when we are not sure of the answer. It's an obligation we have to the forum and to the original poster.
If later my answer turns out to be incorrect, I simply put "Edit: my answer is incorrect, please see Q's, Izanoni's, Heidita's etc. answer." That leaves my incorrect answer for all to see and learn from, including me, but gives the poster the correct information too.
Well, I would also say that it is an effective way of learning. When you try your best to help someone else with a concept that you feel you grasp relatively well, and then get to have someone else correct your mistakes and sharpen your knowledge even further, you learn more quickly than by just reading the questions and answers as they fly through the board.
As for people voting for wrong answers and defeating the point of reputation, that is their own problem.
And as for people who are lower level speakers trying to answer your questions, I doubt you should worry too much about it. I couldn't image someone having the audacity to throw out a random answer to a question, asked by someone who is advanced, that is probably way over their heads to begin with.
I think that it's great that people guess (correctly or incorrectly) as long as someone comes along to correct that error. We usually learn more from seeing errors corrected than from being shown the correct form originally. I would be nice if the author of the answer provides a disclaimer saying that he is not sure of his answer which I think is commonly done. (a simple..."not a native"...provides an explanation that "this is my best attempt with my limited knowledge on the subject".
As far as people accepting incorrect answers...I see that as the fault of the person that asked the question. You shouldn't accept an answer until someone has confirmed that answer (either by additional reply or by voting up the other person's reply).
Storm in a tea cup anyone?
Perhaps we should all qualify our questions and answers.
No guesses please.
This is a guess.
Two simple statements that help all participants.
I often write " my guess is" on an answer, because I am a mere beginner. I can't be 100% certain of any answer I give. I learn from corrections to my answers ( and others ), and thats why I'm here.
Gosh, Luisa, which are you more upset with ... the guessing or the voting?
Why do people guess answers?
And are you not asking for a guess when you phrase your question that way?
If you wanted to know why I guessed at that answer, you could have asked me. It certainly wasn't to upset you or the asker. As to why it got votes, I too wondered. I suspect it was because the response elicited a smile, but I won't know unless I ask that (or those) voter(s) now will I?
If this was a $10,000 per question Translation Site, I wouldn't even volunteer to translate ¡Hola!. But it isn't. There are sometimes when questions seem to be being ignored, viewed, but ignored. My experience is limited but what I have seen is that when someone attempts a translation on their own, help just pours in. And depending on who is on line, sometimes that is also true for a simple 'how do I say ...?' Other times they are told in no uncertain terms to use the dictionary and are sent packing. Sometimes a member that answers one of those simple questions can become subject to public ridicule.
By taking a stab at a translation, I at least create something that can be picked apart and/or improved upon.
I used to put a warning on my answers similar to : 'This is from a beginner, don't run with this until some of the experts weigh in.' I have gotten lazy about that, thank you for the reminder, but I've seen so many questions that don't seem to be revisited by the asker, so seldom a "Thank you, Q, or Gekko, or Marianne (and the hundreds of others) that well, I think most of our answers are really only seen by the other members. I didn't say always, but the blank stares far exceed the thank you's.
and on and on and on. Sorry.
If this was followed to the letter of the law I would neither be able to answer a question nor post any thing because I am never that sure that what I say is either correct or would be accepted as a right or a reasonable answer or question . I hope I never get to that stage where I am totally sure or feel that I am infallible, but a good point none the less and worthy of consideration and discussion.
You are right. It can be misleading. Sometimes I find that people give wrong answers and then they get the green check mark. When I see those sometimes I don't even open the question because I assume that someone already gave the correct answer. I just think that people should be more self aware, still try but let people know that they are not sure or something like that. It bothers me when people who are trying to learn the correct way are mislead into believing that they have the right answer, or when people see the green check mark they assume that the answer is correct and go with that as a fact.
You are right. It can be misleading. Sometimes I find that people give wrong answers and then they get the green check mark.
Luisa, I know your Spanish is proficient, please report any accepted answer which is not correct, thanks.
Jeezle, you are in your right not to accept or even wish "guesses", but it is essential not to doubt a native!
I agree and it does sort of blow my mind. There are always a few wrong answers or guesses in with the good answers. I have updated my profile to reflect my opinion on the matter. Still, I think people are answering as much as they can in order to feel more like part of the site so it's hard to fault people that are trying.
In my case, I have "guessed," the wrong answer on occasion. Let me tell you that after being, "gently," corrected by members of this forum, that incorrect answer will never be repeated again by me.
In those instances, my learning has been swift and sure. 
When I answer a question, I usually put something like, these are my thoughts or here is what I think. I almost always put the gurus will weigh in soon. As for voting, I think that if an answer is honest but maybe not correct, it's up to the voter, which in some cases is the problem.
I think there are plenty of us ready to 'have a go', and also very ready to add that we are uncertain and advise waiting for a native speaker or advanced non-native to reply. I agree that this is generally a good thing, as Megan said, for the learning process.
However, there are also those who 'have a go' without stating this is all they are doing, which can lead to confusion as the site is so busy and everything moves on so fast that it's impossible for every thread to be checked by a reliable member.
I don't know what the solution is - just to be more careful I suppose, and try to ensure everyone fills in their profiles correctly so we can look and check whose answer we are accepting.
Because it's fun...especially if you turn out to be right. 
